Abstract:
Decentralization is classified into four types: devolution, delegation, privatization, and de-concentration. The Kenyan government 2010 Constitution established devolved units, and confirmed a devolved governance mode of authority in 2013. The main objective of this research is to explore the impact of devolution on socio-economic development in Wajir County, Kenya. The objectives of the study include; to establish how Wajir County Government officials and residents conceptualize devolution; To establish how the national government has contributed to socio-economic development in Wajir County since the enactment of devolution through the constitution of 2010 in Kenya; and to examine the community social economic realizations after Kenya enacted devolution in 2010 of the Wajir County. The findings of this study could be used by the national government, county governments, policymakers and scholars in their area or need. The study was guided by three theories that is; stakeholder, balance of growth and the theory of unbalanced growth. The scope of the study was Wajir County and the study site was in Wajir East Constituency (Township Ward), and the unit of analysis was the County Government Officials (Members of the County Assemblies, Chief Officers at the Health, Roads and Transport and Finance and Economic Planning dockets of the Wajir County Government.), Local Leaders (Chief/Sub Chiefs and Nyumba Kumi Elders) of Wajir County and members of the general public that included Pastoralists, Imams, Women and Youth Leaders. This study used a descriptive approach and two sampling techniques, they included; purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques hence the sample size was thirty nine participants. The researcher's primary tool for collecting data was a structured questionnaire which was analysed with the help of Microsoft Excel version 2013, the acquired data was subjected to quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and charts, then shown in frequencies and percentages. All research ethics were upheld by the researcher during data collection. The study found that the people of Wajir approve of the devolved government and are pleased that they now receive services that were previously unavailable and that the social and economic projects which began after devolution had a positive impact. It is therefore recommended by the research that national government allocates more funds to Wajir county government and also recommends the Wajir county government to develop a transparent and accountable process in allocating funds in its various projects. The study also recommends the people of Wajir specifically the voters to stop voting leaders according to tribal lines so that they can vote out bad leaders and vote in good leaders.